Archive for the ‘Neptune’ Category

On Saturday we begin a lunar cycle in the sign of Taurus. Taurus is about love, and especially love of the Earth. It marks a time sacred to the goddess, she who made all things beautiful! The planet Venus is the ‘ruler’ of this sign. Taurus in the sky takes the form of a bull with crescent horns. Astrology calls Moon in Taurus ‘exalted.’ And while the Moon visits Taurus each lunar cycle, it is only at this beautiful time of year that the Moon is ‘new’ in this sign.

Terra Cotta Bird Woman from Egypt..3500 BCE Brooklyn Museum

The celebration of Beltane, the fire festival of joyous love comes just at this precious degree (14º-15º) of the new Moon. Taurus is often associated with wealth, but this Beltane, I feel the poverty we have created here on our planet. It is not just the poverty of large portions of humanity, our sisters and brothers, but the poverty we have created through the determined destruction of our beautiful home.

My feeling of sadness during this season of beauty and fertility, is perfectly described in a passage from Philip Carr-Gomm’s book, The Druid Tradition.*

‘the rise and fall of the blackbird’s song drew me back to my everyday state of consciousness, and as this happened a great despair overwhelmed me, and I looked into the blackbird’s eyes and I knew why he looked so sad. This world, this everyday world exists too, and it is the only one of its kind. The essence of all that has lived here can never be destroyed and it will live forever in the inner world and perhaps on other planets and at other times, but here, now, it is unique and it can be destroyed and it is being destroyed. The world is mortal too, like us. ‘

When I look at the chart of this moment of birth for the new Moon, I see we have passed beyond the crazy shaking energy of Uranus, which was focused on Sun and Moon at the moment when fire dislodged the protective aura of Nôtre Dame de Paris. Neptune is the planet which creates a secondery theme for this new beginning in Taurus. Neptune is the mystery we can only grasp through image, and vision. Here is the passage from Philip’s book, which preceded the one above. In this passage, he paints a picture of a place where all the species decimated and made extinct by our indifference live on.

‘The blackbird paused in his singing, looked directly into my eyes, and then began a song that rose and fell in a way that led me into a peculiar trance-state I had never experienced before. And there, in that state, I just knew his answer. He did not speak or tell me – his song simply took me there. And there was here, only different…..there were dragonfly and butterflies everywhere: chequered skipper, large blue and Adonis blue danced their way over flowers only my grandparents would have seen. Mother Shipton moths competed with pretty chalk carpet and dark brocade moths in the undergrowth of cowslips. Stone curlews, lapwings, hawks and falcons flew high and free in the sky above.’

Over the years since I first read this passage, I have thought back to it many times. There is no way to heal the Earth through despair, nor can I shrug my shoulders and say, somewhere the essence of this damaged world exists whole and repaired. And so I look to this new Moon in the sign of Earth-Love, Taurus, and ask for a celebratory heart. I think of the Great Blue Herons building their nests in conservation land not far from my house. They cannot afford to stop to weep for the swamp drained and ‘developed.’ Those few who are left build in what remains.

Photo: Robert Fuhro

This new Moon chart has most of it’s planets in a bowl shape with a handle made of the asteroid, Pallas Athena, she of the ancient wisdom tradition. Wisdom is often built from mistakes made and mistakes acknowledged.

The passage on extinction continues: ‘And we are the first generation to know this. To know that our Mother can die. Might die. For a child this realisation will, all things being well, lead to an increasing maturity. Let us hope that our understanding of our Mother Earth’s mortality will lead us to a sober maturity rather than a nihilistic despair or an insane attempt to actually ensure her death.’

And so as we circle and dance at Beltane, we weave our love and joy for the Earth’s beauty and bounty into our fear and hope for the future.

*Philip Carr-Gomm, The Druid Tradition, Element Books, 1991

Philip Carr-Gomm is the Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. His book are many, and he created a course in Druidry which has enriched the lives of thousands of people around the world. Philip lives in Lewes, Sussex. https://www.philipcarr-gomm.com.

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. For an appointment call 508 740-7039 or email her at sarahfuhro@gmail.com. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present.

The full Moon celebrates the Winter Solstice on Saturday, December 22. Both Luminaries, Sun and Moon are at 0 degree of Capricorn and Cancer, constellations which mark the entry into winter and summer. This is a moment when we can hear the Music of the Spheres. It is a moment of absolute stillness, a chance to begin anew in a place of cosmic attunement!

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The approach to the dark winter solstice always feels dangerous and death ridden. But there is an opportunity for healing at this moment. The position of Mars and Chiron as they relate to the Sun and Moon speaks of healing, finding a doctor within. What can be done to lighten the mood? Mars says: party like crazy, go to concerts, sing and feast! Chiron recommends embracing all the colors of your crystal, knowing how important is your ray of light in this spectrum. Leave nothing of yourself behind in the cold.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

There’s a strong suggestion of surprise in this chart as Uranus, the Wild One shakes Sun and Moon with fiery energy. The Sabian Symbol for the position of Uranus is Attunement to cosmic order. ‘Listen to Your Inner Voice!’ he says from his perch in Aries. Look into the crystal, a reminder of all the frequencies of colors which must go into a ray of pure white light. To hear the Inner Voice, we have to trust our own light, our own music!

Venus and Neptune are in a harmonious trine of Water signs. They play the background music for this Sun Moon dance. What will the entry of the Moon into Cancer (more Water), mean for the planets of love? Perhaps Venus and Neptune will tune us to the cosmic order. Cosmic music, like the light of the crystal, requires each vibration of sound.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

A musical theme seems right for a full Moon at the season when we sing or hear music the most. The Sabian Symbol for Uranus continues with the theme of ‘cosmic attunement.’ ‘If you are ready to enter into new possibilities of action, you must also learn the harmonic principles in operation! The Music of the Spheres.’ All we are asked to do is to stop a moment to feel the Sun’s journey and the full Moon’s sweet voice!

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The celebration of the journey of the Sun and Moon, gives depth and comfort to every person, no matter who they are, where they live. Each voice in praise of the Earth and Sky are more powerful than all the forces of destruction and despair! The bird of this season is the Wren, smallest of all, with the sweetest note! The old song says: ‘Who sees the Wren sees God.’ Our song is never too small to move hearts and to brighten the dark season.

photo: Robert Fuhro (Carolina Wren)

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. For an appointment call 508 652 9880 or email her at sarahfuhro@gmail.com. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present.

This might be the New Moon of ‘the Seer.’ A Seer, a visionary, a psychic describes a scene for us. She must state clearly what she sees, even if it is only a partial view of a situation, a glimpse through a key hole.

If we take a moment for a new Moon ritual over the next few days, we may feel that potential for something new, even unexpected in our body. The message might appear in our hips, for that is the part of the body, which is ‘ruled’ by Sagittarius. But it might speak to us through some other channel completely. I wonder if we listen to these messages, could we avoid the louder, more insistent voice of illness and discomfort in our body.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Once more, we are at a moment of new beginning, a black Moon seed ready to be planted in the dark earth, with hopes for a harvest of …..what? Maybe the rest of the chart for this tender passage into new territory will have give a clue as to what is the potential for sprout and harvest. An astrology chart can be a theatrical moment, when a group of players (planets) are aligned to interact in various dramatic ways. Let’s see if we can make out what happens on the cosmic and earthly stage, and how it is reflected in our personal lives.

The Sun has now traveled the first half of his journey through the constellation of Sagittarius. Sagittarius is associated with a kind of joyous idealism, an enthusiasm for philosophy and travel and partying. The energy of this sign is not blocked unless the ideals become a stick to hit other people. Sagittarius is both very enthusiastic about other cultures, and religions, or the same energy can be equally fanatical and intolerant of differences.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

At the moment of the new Moon, Jupiter, the king of Sagittarius is in close connection to the Sun and Moon. The Symbol for the degree where Jupiter is located speaks of unexpected emotions: ‘CUPID KNOCKS AT THE DOOR OF A HUMAN HEART. KEYNOTE: A stirring-up of individual longings for romantic love. Emotional rebirth. Sagittarius is an archer with an upraised bow, who shoots at the stars. Cupid is a child of Venus who creates mischief, or ’emotional rebirth,’ with his arrows, which do not respect the rules of society. Cupid’s arrows break the grip of the mental process, and open the heart.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

And speaking of action. We have a very interesting pair in the wings. They may not be immediately visible to us as we take a moment for a new Moon ritual, but they will be strongly felt. Mars, the warrior and Neptune the mystic are in perfect conjunction with a strong (square) relationship to the Sun and Moon. Mars is full of energy and fury, but in watery Pisces and conjunct the ruler of Pisces, Neptune, he may not be able to focus his passion. Neptune never can be seen head on. He is a dream figure, without a clear strategy, yet he can sink our ship or keep us afloat in the sea of our emotions.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The theme of elements in Fire and Water can make a beautiful melange, a poem, an inspired piece of music or art. Or it can all escape in steam. We call upon earthy Saturn in Capricorn to ground it in form. He promises us: AN ANGEL CARRYING A HARP. The revelation of the spiritual meaning and purpose at the core of any life situation. ATTUNEMENT. Creativity, is the essence of this Moon moment.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The New Moon in Virgo, which we celebrate this Sunday has an intriguing Sabian Symbol: A Ouija Board! A Ouija Board is symbol of intuitive communication, a way to connect to spirit guides. It’s time to travel, perhaps to travel alone, inward. Virgo has a solitary thread which is often hard to discern in our sociable nature. After all, the ‘ruler’ of Virgo is Mercury, lord of communication. But a Virgo must listen to inner guides, and must do this alone on an inward spiral.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

This new Moon which takes place in Virgo marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hoshannah. By tradition, a spiral bread is eaten on this holiday.

A spiral is the way of the underground water pathways. Surely, if the earth has underground water patterns, we must as well. And the solitary journey inward will be very significant for this new Moon, because Sun and Moon are exactly opposite watery Neptune in Pisces. At the last full Moon, August 26 we celebrated the Virgo Pisces axis, a representation of the healer and healing. https://sarahfuhro.wordpress.com/2018/08/24/medicine-of-water-and-snakes/.

The Sabian Symbol for this degree continues the theme of healing through solitary travel inward. Neptune’s degree is symbolized by: In the quiet of his study, a creative individual experiences a flow of inspiration.’ The individual aspect of the creative process is emphasized as is the individual’s need for concentration and at least inner quiet. He must have faith in his own SUBJECTIVE STRENGTH.’

The healing theme continues with the Virgo Sun and Moon in concert with Neptune in Pisces. Music (Pisces) might be an important theme as you find a quiet moment to celebrate this tender beginning.

But why call this Moon chat, Pilgrim’s Progress? All new Moons suggest a fresh start, a release of old stories and anxiety, a transformation of identity. This Moon seems to suggest sacred travel. Maybe, because the Virgo Pilgrim has to settle her affairs before she sets out? A Pilgrim has to travel light, to be resourceful, to accept the ups and downs of travel, the need to acknowledge that he is vulnerable. Looking at the chart, over and over again, I came upon a possible impetus for the pilgrimage, theme. Uranus is opposite Venus. A deep and mysterious love (Venus in Scorpio) is shaken by a Uranic thunderstorm. The pilgrimage site is underground (Uranus in Taurus). Here is a place of absolute renewal, a death and rebirth, which cannot be experienced except through a dynamic and electric experience with the earth!

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Sarah Fuhro is an astrologer, flower essence practitioner and Tarot reader. She consults with clients and teaches these ancient arts as well. You can reach her at Sarahfuhro@gmail.com.

photo: Robert Fuhro

Each year at this time, the full Moon in Virgo is opposite the Sun in Pisces. Virgo Moon refines and rearranges emotions. She needs a sense of order in the environment to be comfortable and at ease, and then she gets the work done. Pisces is a water sign, any form of organization is based upon the fluid memory of water. Pisces is known for fog, illusion, spiritual impulse. Virgo gathers in the harvest, Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, releases what is finished from the year’s cycle. But here’s how they work well together: Virgo Moon can materialize the spiritual impulse of Pisces, and communicate it to the world at large.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

This year the Sun is very close to Neptune, her modern ruler. A little further on we have Mercury, Venus and Chiron also in this mystic sign. Whatever luminosity was available from a Pisces Sun is fogged over with Neptune’s sea foam. To speak with Pisces is to release expectation. Fish talk is wet and confusing. If Virgo Moon tries to hold a rational exchange with this mystical crew of planets in Pisces, she might do better with poetry.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Journey by Water Sarah Fuhro

At night I ride my coracle,
to the dark shore, silver Moon

of the tree filled island,

where I will meet my dreams.

The last notes of twilight play out,

as I approach,
push myself forward,
in my round leather boat,

into the slender reeds,
the dark water washed shore.

I put aside the slender pole
no further use for rudder, for oar.

First I lower my human foot

into the cold wet,
sharp fanged swamp,
in a moment,

pause to recollect:
I carry with me, fish shoes,

silver scaled, soft as silk.

With these I know myself,

amphibious, and supple!

Both feet touch bottom,
and I push my coracle to shore.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The full Moon in Virgo is a good time to analyze the dreams of Pisces. This is especially true this time because Neptune is close to the Sun, and the power of dreams, mystical experiences, music and poetry is doubly abundant. This degree of Virgo has a Sabian Symbol with the keyword: Unveiling. Neither beauty nor ugliness can be hidden during this full Moon. But to know which is beauty and which ugly is a task for the trained initiate.

Virgo is very much about hidden secrets, which allows the soul to work in seclusion. Pisces is the perfect partner to penetrate the engima. This full Moon become a visionary, a seer, a mystic, a poet, a channel to the hidden realms.

photo: Sarah Fuhro

An enigmatic figure, Black Moon Lilith, watches both Virgo Moon and Pisces Sun. She demands we give up expectation in exchange for letting wonder happen. Lillith is the frustration of women and the feminine in palpable form, when out of balance with the masculine. At this moment, there is a world wide transformation of the feminine in each of us and in social structures which are in a state of positive chaos.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The Virgo full Moon is already very beautiful several days in advance. Bask in her light; know that she is a harbinger of spring. The seeds of which Virgo gathered in the harvest season now fall upon the receptive wet earth of Pisces. The mystery and poetry of this Moon will give us the key to the new season. The Sabian Symbol for the degree of Chiron explains what is happening behind the scene: ‘A fertile garden under the full moon reveals a variety of full-grown vegetables.’

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Strange, isn’t it? This full Moon feels more like a beginning than a culmination. What is about to hatch?

There is a strong illusory element in this moment as Neptune, the dreamer, located in watery Pisces, makes a perfect square with Sun and Moon. The missing fourth member of this design is in Virgo, and is called a degree of ‘unveiling.’ The past few weeks have been caught up in revelations of male dominance used to humiliate and diminish women. At the full Moon on Sunday, we might use these revelations to ‘unveil’ the ancient mystery of male and female powers.

Pamela Colman Smith/Two of Cups, Rider-Waite Deck

Sun, Moon and Neptune are all at the same degree in three different signs. Jupiter also at the same degree, in another water sign, Scorpio connects to Neptune. The degree held by all these players is 11. Numerologists consider 11, a ‘Master’ number, a number which can be taken in many directions. 11 has a connection to the healer, the psychic and the creative artist. Those two 1’s look like the astrological symbol for Gemini, II, the sign of this full Moon. And the symbol for Gemini could also be read as the Roman numeral for two, II.

The constellation Gemini represents the twins Castor and Pollux, hatched from the egg of Leda, their mother, who tried to escape the sexual advances of Zeus. He disguised himself as a swan and overcame her. In some versions of the story, Castor was mortal, Pollux immortal. In this way they represent all of us, all of creation, for we are both mortal and immortal. In the picture above we see Castor in his egg shell hat. It’s perfect that he’s standing next to a horse looking almost like a centaur! The Sun is in the sign of Sagittarius, the centaur. The sign opposite is Gemini. On this Greek krater they are combined in one image.

Leda and the Swan W.B. Yeats

A sudden blow: the great wings beating still

Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed

By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill,

He holds her helpless breast upon his breast.

How can those terrified vague fingers push

The feathered glory from her loosening thighs?

And how can body, laid in that white rush,

But feel the strange heart beating where it lies?

A shudder in the loins engenders there

The broken wall, the burning roof and tower

And Agamemnon dead.

Being so caught up,

So mastered by the brute blood of the air,

Did she put on his knowledge with his power

Before the indifferent beak could let her drop?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/

Yeats’ poem tells us what it’s like to be impregnated by a divine force. Michelangelo presents a more erotic version. From this came two eggs. One was the egg of Castor and Pollux and the other contained Helen and Clytemnestra. The whole drama of the Trojan War hatched from Leda’s egg. Swans are sacred to Venus, and Venus in this chart is in Sagittarius with the Sun.

To up the energetic charge of this full Moon, Mercury, ruler of Gemini goes retrograde the same day. Mercury is in the last degree of Sagittarius, the Sun’s sign. Interesting that he stations direct on the fixed star, Etamin, the ‘Right Eye of the Dragon’, and turns direct (December 22) on the ‘Left Eye of the Dragon’ (Restabin), both in the Constellation Draco. So we begin a journey back in time, revisiting both eyes of the great dragon. Dragons guard treasures. Since Mercury’s reverse journey takes place in Sagittarius, I imagine he is a Fire Dragon, like the one in the picture below from the swamplands of New Orleans.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

‘With vast convolutions Draco holds

The’ ecliptic axis in his scaly folds.

O’er half the skies his neck enormous rears,

and with immense meanders parts the Bears.’

Erasmus Darwin, The Botanic Garden, The Echo Library, 2007,

Around five o’clock last night, I looked up and saw the almost full Moon. She looked down upon me and delicately pulled back her veil. The Moon is whole and accepts her wholeness no matter what her lunar phase. When we follow her through the seasons, we understand our own wholeness. This full Moon sings of mastery, of deep integration, possible amidst the dragon’s swirling scales. All of us will experience the powerful forces at work during this full Moon. Everyday we are given gifts by the cosmos. Like spoiled children we can cast away our treasures, or embrace the depths of what is offered!

Sarah Fuhro sarahfuhro@gmail.com

Keeping our Ancient Wisdom Alive

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present. To learn more, please visit www.sarahfuhro.com.

This full Moon in Pisces arrives to mend some of the painful heat of the solar eclipse. The angry, hot fire of the Mars Sun combination in Leo, cools down in earthy Virgo and watery Pisces, soothed by a Pisces Neptune as a healing companion to the Moon.

photo: Robert Fuhro

The best effects of the Leo Solar Eclipse, are held in Neptune, the healing companion. Neptune’s Sabian Symbol is: ‘An ancient sword, used in many battles is displayed in a museum.’ Will Power, is the key to this degree. It was will power channeled through the loving heart of Leo, which kept the heat from burning into destruction. So many people spoke to me of the glowing cinders left from this eclipse. Fire and a sword seemed inevitable, but the sword seems to have been the surgeon’s blade, and the fire cauterized the wound.

photo: Sarah Fuhro

The warrior Mars who was close companion to the Sun at the time of the eclipse has moved into quiet, earth-bound Virgo.

Venus, lady of love is at an exact degree of Leo to be in sync with Sun and Moon and Neptune, yet at a strange angle, where you have to search to find her.

Mercury remains in Leo, newly released from his retrograde motion at the exact degree where the eclipse took place. Perhaps he will give us further information about the significance of this nationwide event that held so many of us enthralled, watching the sky. It’s a nice synchronicity that the degree of the eclipse, and of Mercury’s entry into direct motion tells a story of a ‘mermaid who emerges from the ocean waves ready for rebirth in human form.’ Now we have a full Moon in close connection to Neptune, king of seas.

The Leo Venus is at a degree, which is about the self-actualization of the human soul. The message is to ‘let the soul speak out!’ There are consequences to be paid when the true nature, power and desire of the soul are obstructed. How can you let some part of yourself be expressed at this time of fullness? Where can you find a deep reflection of your soul’s singular message in nature?

photo: Sarah Fuhro

When you follow the Moon’s cycle and the seasons of the year, a deep and pervasive alignment with creativity takes place. Magical events occur when there is a conversation with the mystery of the world. Perhaps the heavy hand of Pluto in earthy trine to the Sun will help us to see the weight of this and each precious moment of the Moon’s journey each month. The asteroid Pallas Athena in earth sign Taurus makes the third point of this triangle which speaks of the earth’s bounty and graciousness.

photo: Sarah Fuhro

Rabbit Sarah Fuhro

Rabbit tells me that summer

is finished and harvest

comes next.

All the burnt offerings

to the sun paid off in results

no one could predict in springtime.

This bunny bounds over the dead logs

that block the forest path. The bushes

that have ripened each week stop rabbit

not at all from her crazy zig-zag.

The sound of her little forest feet

is like the beating of my heart,.

Her excietement is in my stomach,

in my guts and loins as I pick up

my scattered traveling trunk.

Little rabbit leaps

like the wild grape vine,

now here and now there.

Tiny green witch hands

of the vine grasp hooks

which spell out in the end: spiral.

Seems so sudden, the dusty grape

takes precedence over the berry,

and the Salmon thinks–return.

The Salmon remembers the pool

of the hazel nuts, still far away,

but available for renewal, to heal

a worn out journey, taken in heat

that now seems so wearisome.

photo: Robert Fuhro

Sarah Fuhro sarahfuhro@gmail.com

Keeping our Ancient Wisdom Alive

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present. To learn more, please visit www.sarahfuhro.com.